The studio was founded in 1917 by the Khanzhonkov cinema factory and became one of the biggest film studios in the Soviet time. A Man from the Boulevard des Capucines, Pirates of the 20th Century, Aladdin's Magic Lamp, Kidnapping, Caucasus Style and In Search of the Castaways are among the films shot there. When Crimea was part of Ukraine, the studio was mostly left unused and became run down due to property disputes. Today visitors can see the sets of their favourite Soviet films.